Lecce
a golden city of baroque beauty and winding streets made for wandering
Lecce has everything you could want from an old Italian city - beautiful architecture, winding streets and a lively culture that makes you want to stay out late. There are neighborhood cafés, cocktail bars, secondhand shops, historic sites, and plenty of places to sit with a drink and forget about your phone.
RECHARGE
Cafeteria Olympia
Cafeteria Olympia was right around the corner from our Airbnb and was the perfect easy morning stop for coffee and pastries. Drink your espresso at the bar like a local, or grab a seat and spend a bit more time sipping.
Once you finish your espresso and pastry, it’s time to start wandering.
EAT
La Bella ’Mbriana
Located inside an expansive former olive oil mill, La Bella ’Mbriana is beautiful without feeling overly formal, and, more importantly, the food was very good.
It’s located a little outside of the city center, so plan to drive (they have a large parking lot) or get a taxi.
DRINK
Quanto Basta + Al Baffo
Lecce has a surprisingly good cocktail scene.
Quanto Basta was a standout with espresso martinis so good we went back a second time, and nearby Al Baffo made the perfect stop for a creative cocktail.
HUNT
Secondhand Shops
There is no better place than an Italian secondhand shop. Filled with vintage finds and decor you can’t find at home, treasures are easy to come by and you’ll find yourself tempted to check a bag on the flight home.
I ended up coming home with an unusual piece of artwork and a little espresso set - exactly the kind of souvenir I love.
TREAT
Agricola Gelateria Lecce
There are few things more quintessentially Italian than wandering around after dinner with a cone of gelato in hand.
Agricola Gelateria Lecce has plenty of options for those with food allergies, including the delicious vegan chocolate pictured.
EXPERIENCE
AlmaLibre Sailing Tour
We spent seven hours sailing around Gallipoli with Captain Gina, with plenty of time for swimming, snorkeling and soaking up the sun. I picked this tour due to its length (most only run for 4 hours or less) and its small group size (6 people max).
Lecce makes a great base for exploring more of the Salento peninsula, and if you have a full day to spare, I’d absolutely use one of them to get out on the water.
